Koktuli River Instream Flow Reservation Cathy Flanagan Bristol Bay Native Association

Pebble Site Swan/Koktuli Confluence Koktuli/Mulchatna Confluence

Instream Flow (ISF) Water flowing within a natural stream channel The quantity and timing of water flows necessary to sustain instream use of water

ISF Reservation A water level below which further diversion is not allowed

Purpose of ISF Reservation To protect fish and wildlife To protect recreation To protect water quality To protect transportation

Alaska ISF Law Alaska Water Use Act was amended in 1980 to include instream flow provisions These amendments are referred to as the “instream flow laws” Alaska allows private individuals and groups to apply for instream flow reservations

Special Considerations Over-bank flow Channel maintenance flow Water quality maintenance flow Incubation or over-wintering flow Spring break-up flow Spawning flow Fish passage flow Recreation or navigation flow Fish harvest

Need and Purpose Need for ISF reservation: –potential gold and copper mine in upper watershed of the tribally significant Koktuli River Purpose of ISF Reservation: –subsistence: fish and wildlife –water quality maintenance –transportation –native cultural identity

Data Design Hydrology: seasonal flow requirements –Tennant Method Chemistry: seasonal water chemistry Biology: Fish periodicity –when fish are in the system –their life cycle –how much water they need

Data Design Complete QAPP Data collection and quality control Methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing flow data Review of methods prior to project start

ISF Data Requirements Collect data for 3-5 years Continuous stage data 6-7 site visits a year –high and low flows –discharge measurement each visit –verify water surface elevation –4 to 5 water quality chemistry samples/year –measure physical water quality characteristics –1 quality control water quality sample/site/year

Baseline Water Quality pH temperature conductivity chemical characteristics trace metals nutrients (inorganic) major ions

Sites Koktuli River site 1 mile downstream from Swan confluence Swan River site 1.5 miles upstream of confluence with Koktuli used to calculate flow of Koktuli above confluence with Swan

Swan Site Koktuli Site

Gage Koktuli Site

Swan Site

Gage

Gaging Stations Records –stage (water height) –water temp –air temp Campbell data logger Pressure transducer Battery and solar panel

Installing Stream Gages

Data Collection & Quality Control Discharge measurements –5% Q rule Verifying surface water elevation –0.02 level accuracy Water quality measurements –Quality control water quality samples

Field Data Sheet

Discharge Data Sheet

Measuring Discharge Current Meter Wading Rod –top-set rod –rule of 9’s Boat –top-set rod up to 10 ft. depth –weight & reel

Stage and Discharge

Winter Discharge Measurements

Computing Area for Discharge Measurement

Discharge Measurement Example Q = ∑A * V(avg)

DATA ANALYSIS Datum and Gage Height Corrections Ratings Rating Shifts Mean Daily Discharge Average Annual Hydrograph

Raw Stage Data

Importable Stage Data

Discharge Summary Sheet

Water Level Summary Sheet

Koktuli Rating Curve

Koktuli Hydrograph

Water Quality Parameters Physical –Temperature –Specific Conductance –pH –Alkalinity

Cations –Calcium –Magnesium –Sodium –Chloride –Potassium –Silica Anions –Alkalinity –Sulfate –Choride Water Quality Parameters Chemical-Inorganic Common Constituents

Nutrients –Total Kjeldahl nitrogen –Nitrate –Nitrite –Ammonia –Total dissolved phosphorous –Ortho phosphate Water Quality Parameters

Water Quality Perameters Trace Metals –Aluminum –Cooper –Arsenic –Iron –Barium –Lead –Chromium –Zinc

Water Quality Sampling To develop baseline water quality data to measure the degree of contamination or change

Water Quality Physical Data

Water Chemistry

DNR ISF Application

Data Analysis Daily, monthly, annual average discharge Discharge/water chemistry relationship Tennant Method: minimum flow calculations Statistical statement limitations of data

Tennant Method Monthly average discharge Tennant percentage multipliers Minimum monthly discharge to be applied to system Biologically driven process: fisheries, stream morphology, habitat maintenance

ISF Application Requirements Tennant calculation Hydrologic exceedence curves Water quality results Beneficial uses (periodicity charts for fisheries and wildlife) Methodology of collecting data and analysis

DNR ISF Water Right Process Application review Application is accepted based on currently available data (priority date) Agreement to submit 3 additional years of flow and water quality data Granting of ISF water right is based on completed data set

Value of ISF Water Right Maintain biologically significant flow levels Maintain baseline water quality Maintain river channel maintenance flows Maintain water levels to protect subsistence needs

ISF Water Right The state is responsible for protecting water levels for fisheries and wildlife State citizens have the right to demand that DNR and ADF&G enforce the river discharge levels to ensure protection

Thank you Questions?